How does humidity affect the effectiveness of an air conditioning system?

Higher humidity levels limit the system's cooling efficiency because the air conditioning system must work harder to remove the moisture from the air in addition to cooling it. When humidity is elevated, the air holds more moisture, which can lead to discomfort since high humidity makes the air feel warmer than it actually is. As a result, the air conditioning unit needs to expend more energy to dehumidify the air to maintain a comfortable temperature, ultimately reducing its overall cooling efficiency.

Moreover, air conditioners are designed to dehumidify the air as they cool it by condensing moisture on the evaporator coil. In high humidity situations, although the system is still capable of cooling, the increased moisture content means that it takes longer for the system to reach the desired indoor temperature, which may lead to longer run times and increased wear on the equipment. Thus, the presence of high humidity can negatively impact the performance and efficiency of an air conditioning unit.